News / Local
'Condomised' Matabeleland ministers attack Misihairabwi-Mushonga
06 Dec 2011 at 07:43hrs | Views
THE MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube has come under fire from political leaders in Matabeleland following remarks by its secretary general Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga that some Cabinet ministers from Matabeleland are just useless "condoms" who have sold out the region.
Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga, who is the Minister of Regional Integration and International Co-operation in the Inclusive Government, was quoted in the Sunday News yesterday as having lashed out at Cabinet ministers.
She was quoted at a Bulawayo Agenda organised public debate in Bulawayo on Friday as saying some of the region's ministers have been "condomised" and "sold out the region for money and power".
Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga's sentiments have sparked an outrage from leaders from other political parties, especially Cabinet ministers in the region who felt the remarks were ill-placed and showed that MDC was losing the plot.
In separate interviews, some Cabinet Ministers who were interviewed said the MDC was focusing on degrading individual people's characters at the expense of real issues affecting the electorate on the ground.
Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni said the choice of the condom as an image was a true reflection of some practices taking place within MDC.
"Why of all things would she choose the condom? Such vulgar language should not be coming from an Honourable Minister like her and that shows the kind of a party she is coming from," said Minister Nyoni.
Minister Nyoni said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga was ill-advised and could not come to Matabeleland and dictate what needs to be done.
She said such hate speech was fuelling divisions and retarding development of the country.
"What right does she have to come and criticise people in their own region? We are tired of such people who come and fuel hatred. A true leader should lead by example and articulate a clear vision and strategy to be emulated by the electorate
Minister of Water Resources and Development Samuel Sipepa Nkomo who was at the meeting where Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga made her remarks, said she probably was no "longer in her senses".
"That is not a talk from a sane person. She could have used other words than to liken people to condoms. That is only said by insane people, whatever she wanted to say she should take note that all ministers like Minister Mpofu, Minister Nyoni, Minister Gabbuza Joel Gabuza and even Minister Ncube have done a lot for the region in unison.
The Minister of Public Works Mr Gabuza said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga should not be taken seriously.
"The truth of the matter is that she should not be taken seriously because she and her party are an angry and frustrated lot because of what is happening in their party. They have a lot of internal problems," said Gabbuza.
Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga, who is the Minister of Regional Integration and International Co-operation in the Inclusive Government, was quoted in the Sunday News yesterday as having lashed out at Cabinet ministers.
She was quoted at a Bulawayo Agenda organised public debate in Bulawayo on Friday as saying some of the region's ministers have been "condomised" and "sold out the region for money and power".
Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga's sentiments have sparked an outrage from leaders from other political parties, especially Cabinet ministers in the region who felt the remarks were ill-placed and showed that MDC was losing the plot.
In separate interviews, some Cabinet Ministers who were interviewed said the MDC was focusing on degrading individual people's characters at the expense of real issues affecting the electorate on the ground.
Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni said the choice of the condom as an image was a true reflection of some practices taking place within MDC.
"Why of all things would she choose the condom? Such vulgar language should not be coming from an Honourable Minister like her and that shows the kind of a party she is coming from," said Minister Nyoni.
Minister Nyoni said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga was ill-advised and could not come to Matabeleland and dictate what needs to be done.
She said such hate speech was fuelling divisions and retarding development of the country.
"What right does she have to come and criticise people in their own region? We are tired of such people who come and fuel hatred. A true leader should lead by example and articulate a clear vision and strategy to be emulated by the electorate
Minister of Water Resources and Development Samuel Sipepa Nkomo who was at the meeting where Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga made her remarks, said she probably was no "longer in her senses".
"That is not a talk from a sane person. She could have used other words than to liken people to condoms. That is only said by insane people, whatever she wanted to say she should take note that all ministers like Minister Mpofu, Minister Nyoni, Minister Gabbuza Joel Gabuza and even Minister Ncube have done a lot for the region in unison.
The Minister of Public Works Mr Gabuza said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga should not be taken seriously.
"The truth of the matter is that she should not be taken seriously because she and her party are an angry and frustrated lot because of what is happening in their party. They have a lot of internal problems," said Gabbuza.
Source - chronicle
